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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-06-16 Daily Xml
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Safeguarding Taskforce

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:42): Supplementary arising from the answer: minister, was this task force set up in response to gaps in the system that were apparent after the death of Ann Marie Smith?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:42): I am not quite sure that I understand the gist of what the honourable member is driving at. We have been shocked and horrified, as have all South Australians, in relation to these matters. I think it has been disappointing that the work of the task force has been undermined by the opposition. They have cast slurs on the independence of those members. I can assure all honourable members that the—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: That's a reflection on you, Michelle—

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They've said it themselves—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: It's a reflection on you, not them. It's a reflection on you as minister, and you've put people in that position. Your choices have done that.

The PRESIDENT: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Minister, continue please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It is disappointing—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: It's a poor reflection on you.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It is disappointing that members of the task force have had to work under some duress—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Just answer the question.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, you don't need to join in.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: She's not answering the question, sir.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Did you set up a task force after the death of Ann Marie Smith—yes or no?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, interjections are out of order; now cut it out. Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It is disappointing that the work of the task force has been—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Did you set up the inquiry after—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, sit down.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: —the death of Ann Marie Smith—yes or no?

The PRESIDENT: You finished?

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Not yet.

The PRESIDENT: Well, we're not going anywhere until you listen in silence. Minister.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: He wants to get chucked out.

The PRESIDENT: I'm not going to give him that satisfaction.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Thank you, Mr President, for your protection. It is disappointing that the work of the task force has been undermined.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Why are you avoiding an answer, Michelle?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: There are a number of people with lived experience, both parents and people who have disabilities themselves—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: A very simple question.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, enough!

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister Ridgway, you can stay out of it.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They have worked assiduously on these matters since we asked them to take on this task.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Why won't you answer the question?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter! Listen to the answer.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: We're not getting one.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, sit down. Minister, continue. Listen in silence, please. Interjections are out of order.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: We had the farce about whether there were terms of reference, which clearly had been circulating. We have had the very disappointing approach, particularly of members of the opposition, who have sought to undermine the important work of this task force. They, nevertheless, have got on with the job of providing an interim task force. We also had at one stage the Leader of the Opposition saying that they didn't have enough time to produce a report, and then yesterday we had the shadow minister saying that we need to have the report today, the day it is received by the government.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: That was members of your task force said that—members of your task force.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They have produced an interim report. We are incredibly grateful for their work at what is a challenging time for all members of the disability sector.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter and the Hon. Mr Ridgway! Minister, please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: This has been a distressing time for a number of people within the disability community.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: It's not a trap. It's a simple question.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They have applied themselves. They will continue to consult with a range of people and continue to receive submissions, and we look forward to seeing not only implementation of their recommendations but the final report.

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